BANGKOK – A gunbattle in a residential area of the Thai capital has caused the first fatality in the political street fighting that has plunged Thailand in chaos.

Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey says the fighting is happening around a market between area residents and hundreds of red-shirted anti-government protesters.

He told a local television station that said two people had been wounded in the confrontation. The fighting took place near the protesters' stronghold outside the prime minister's offices.

Dr. Chatri Charoenchivakul of the official Erawan Emergency Coordination Center said the victim was shot in the chest and two other people were wounded by gun shots.

A demonstrator calls for a stop to violence between government troops and supporters of ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Bangkok April 13, 2009. [Agencies]